EMERGENCY PREPAREDNES

MODEL

PLAN

FOR

K A N C H E E P U R A M

DIST.

Emergency Preparedness

Model Plan for

Kancheepuram District
Tamil Nadu

December 2007

Contents

Page No.
3

Acknowledgements

4
5

Foreword
Acronyms
1. Introduction

2. Profile of Kancheepuram District

2.1 Brief Geography
2.2Climate and Rainfall
2.3Demographic Details
2.4Area Distribution
2.5Human Resource Indicators
2.6lnfrastructure & Urbanisation
2.7Forest Resources
2.8Green Cover Classification
2.9Water Resources
2.1 OAgriculture Sector
2.11 Fisheries
2.12Energy Resources
3. Hazard Profile for Kancheepuram

17

3.1 Hazard Background

3.2Cyclone Shelters
3.30verview of Tsunamis
3.4Flood Hazard
4. Role of Government

24

5. Contingency Plan

26

6. Early Warning System

28

6.1EWS In Kancheepuram
6.2EWS locations
6.3EWS Guidelines
33
36
43
45
47
49

7. Role of NGOs
8. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
9.Emergency Operation Centre
10. Role of GIS
1 1. Annexure 1
12. Annexure 2

Acknowledgements

At the outset we are deeply indebted to United Nations Development Programme, Office of
Commissioner for Revenue Administration, Disaster Management and Mitigation, Government of Tamil
Nadu and INGOs like Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, Christian Aid, Oxfam International, Plan
International, Save the Children and World Vision who have jointly initiated and supported Tamil Nadu
Tsunami Resource Centre.
The CBDRM core group (facilitated by TNTRC) has representation from diverse civil society
organisations working in post-tsunami recovery in Tamil Nadu, which periodically met and shared various
insights in the progress of disaster preparedness and mitigation as part of the tsunami recovery efforts. This
Core Group was initially instrumental in suggesting the need for model civil society perspective oriented
district level 'Emergency Preparedness Plan'. The CBDRM Core Group members are thanked here
collectively for their inputs at various stages. It was initially planned to take up two districts consisting of
Cuddalore and Kancheepuram districts; but apparently Cuddalore district plan had to be dropped due to
Cuddalore district administration's suggestion that they are evolving a similar plan directly involving
consultants. So the mission to carry forward the emergency preparedness plan for Kancheepuram alone was
taken up.
We thank and acknowledge the inputs, suggestions and assistance rendered by the Kancheepuram
district administration: Mrs.B.Seethalakshmi, District Project Officer-DRMP who enthusiastically shared her
views and vital details relating to district disaster management plan and activities. In addition UNDP-DRM
Project Officer Mr.Kamalanathan who extended his help in terms of providing contact details, tank location
map and others DM related information pertaining to the district. We acknowledge and thank the Early
Warning Systems team: Mr.John David, Project Officer, UNDFJ Mr Anbu Ashokkumar, NUNV, District EWS
Staff and Mr. Don Bosco & Mr.Kannadasan of CRDS, who rendered their assistance during field visit. Amongst
the many NGOs: CRDS, PREPARE and SEA in particular enthusiastically shared their inputs and feedback.
Last, but not the least, special thanks to Mr.Gnanaraj of PREPARE, who voluntarily provided the preliminary
inputsforthisCSO Emergency preparedness Plan document.
TNTRC

Kindly send in your suggestions and feedback to Dr. KM. Parivelan, Mobile no.
E-mail: pari@tntrc.org (or) parivelan@yahoo.co.uk
3

+91-9840957622,

Foreword
Tamil Nadu Tsunami Resource Centre is a joint initiative of United Nations Development Programme,
Government of Tamil Nadu and INGOs like Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, Christian Aid, Oxfam
International, Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision to facilitate the Post-tsunami recovery
process. TNTRC broadly with its mandate, worked on coordination, knowledge networking and information
sharing. It had formed few sectoral core groups like Shelter, livelihood, WATSAN, Child Protection, ICT,
Social Equity, CBDRM, etc.
This emergency Preparedness Model Plan is designed to help the Kancheepuram District and similarly
other districts to evolve a Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan to enable the Civil Society
Organisations and governments to respond effectively to disaster situations. This would be achieved through
multi-hazard preparedness and mitigation plans for all vulnerable districts. Multi-hazard mitigation plans
would also include the installation of a viable means of communication, up to GP level, and Committees
corresponding to the village groups above, at the block, district and district State level involving the
Government, Civil Society Organizations and voluntary organisations.
This model plan could enable the promotion of Community Based Disaster Risk Management
(CBDRM) at the community level, while preparing the multi-hazard mitigation plans for each district.
Capacity building in Disaster Management at all levels, in specific, in empowering women and prompting
their participation are some of the key components of this model emergency preparedness plan initiative. In
addition covering other vulnerable segments like children, aged, physically challenged, etc. are pertinent for
comprehensive DM plan.
This model plan also provides detailed information about the Kancheepuram district covering its
climate, geography, demographic details, various resources, types of hazards affecting the district, level of
risk and vulnerability, mitigation strategies for each type of hazard, role of civil society and communities,
standard operating procedures during emergencies and brief list of inventories for civil society organisations.
I am sure this will be useful model emergency preparedness document from civil society perspective, which
could be useful for different stakeholders.
It is very apt and timely that these DM series are being brought out when TNTRC is transitioning itself in
to a multi-hazard tackling Disaster Management Resource Centre. I am happy to announce the other DM
series such as (a) Collation of CBDRM Workshop Reports; (b) CSO Disaster Preparedness Approaches/
Models in Tamil Nadu; and (c) Disaster Management Directory.

Dr Nalini Keshavaraj
Manager, TNTRC

ACRONYMS
BDMC

Block Disaster Management Committee

CBDM

Community Based Disaster Management

CBDRM

Community Based Disaster Risk Management

CCR

Coastal Community Resilience

CDRC

Chennai District Resource Centre

CRA

Commissioner for Revenue Administration- Relief Commissioner

CG

Core Group-for various sectors

CRC

Cuddalore Resource Centre

CSO

Civil Society Organisation

DART

Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis

DDMA

District Disaster Management Authority

DDMC

District Disaster Management Committee

DM

Disaster Management

DMM

Disaster Management & Mitigation

DMC

District Management Committee

DPO

District Project Officer-DRMP

DRC

District Resource Centre

DRM

Disaster Risk Management

DRMP

Disaster Risk Management Programme

EWS

Early warning system

GTS

Global Telecommunication Systems

ICS

Incident Command System

IMD

Indian Meteorological Department

INCOIS

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services

INGOs

International Non-Governmental Organisations

ACRONYMS
IOC

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

IPCC

Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change

KRC

Kancheepuram Resource Centre

NDMA

National disaster Management Authority

NGO

Non-governmental organisations

NIDM

National Institute for Disaster Management

OSD

Officer on Special Duty- O / o Relief Commissioner, Government of Tamil Nadu

PAN

Pazhaverkadu Action Network

PRI

Panchayat Raj Institutions

PMSSS

Pondicherry Multi-Purpose Social Service Society

SDMA

State Disaster Management Authority

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

TARNS

Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System

TRC

Thiruvallur Resource Centre

TNTRC

Tamil Nadu Tsunami Resource Centre

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation

UNISDR

United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

UNV

United Nations Volunteer

VLMC

Village Level Monitoring Committee

VMP

Village Management Plan

WATSAN

Water and sanitation

1. Introduction
The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 did highlight glaring shortcomings in institutionalised framework
of disaster management vis-a-vis multi hazards. But in the post-tsunami context there were very many positive
steps taken at national level such as national Disaster Management Act 2005, formation of NDMA, step
towards formations of SDMAs and DDMAs, etc. This booklet could be seen as prism to analyse in a modest
way disaster management initiatives in Tamil Nadu in general and Kancheepuram in particular in the context
of developments before and after tsunami. It also could be seen as tool offering recommendations for further
reforms. There is probably scope for more clear lines of responsibility among various actors; greater support
for community participation and bottom-up approaches; greater focus on Community Based Disaster Risk
Management (CBDRM); preparedness and mitigation and attention to promoting gender equity and to
meeting the needs of vulnerable communities.
The challenge is to address the multi-hazards with a holistic perspective. The integrated and
comprehensive approach covering disaster preventive steps, preparedness and mitigation mechanisms
along with well prepared response plan is the paradigmatic shift which is expected both in policy level and in
practice. In addition global warming and climate change warnings brought out by IPCC gives impetus to
draw the emergency preparedness plan for each of the coastal districts in Tamil Nadu. It is time to gear up
with Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis for each of the highly vulnerable districts with
recommendations for structural and non structural mitigation strategies and response patterns beyond
tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction. These multi hazard response plans will also identify disaster prone
areas and rank the probability of various disasters in each taluk and recommend mitigation strategies and
response structures suitable to each situation even though they will all follow similar patterns as far as
responses to emergencies have to be addressed.
It is envisaged that several manuals and guidelines will follow this modest step towards multi-hazard
emergency preparedness cum response plans for the Kancheepuram district. These could include risk
assessment and vulnerability analysis for Kancheepuram district with mitigation strategies, manuals on the
emergency operations centre and the district control rooms, strengthening early warning systems, inventory
of resources, standard operating procedures and standards of services, Disaster management information
data base for all blocks and villages, response structure, etc.
Interestingly, it is to be noted that Kancheepuram district administration DRMP team is in the process of
collating the vulnerability and hazard mapping data collated from various village and block levels as part of
disaster risk management programme. It will provide the way forward to chalk out detailed disaster planning
for preparedness and mitigation strategies. It is also a positive turning point where civil society organisations
are also engaged in DM planning and implementation. It is time to rope in corporate sector's CSR to be part
of the various facets of disaster management including preparedness and response contingencies.
7

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District
2.1 Area and geographical location:
Kancheepuram district is situated on the northern East Coast of Tamil Nadu and is adjacent by Bay of
Bengal and Chennai city and is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai district, in the north by
Thiruvallur district and Chennai district, in the south by Villuppuram district in the east by Bay of Bengal. It lies
between 11 00' to 12 00' North latitudes and 77 28' to 78 50' East longitudes. The district has a total
geographical area of 4,43,210 hectares and coastline of 57 Kms. Kancheepuram, the temple town is the
district headquarters. For administrative reasons, the district has been divided into 3 revenue divisions
comprising of 8 taluks with 1214 revenue villages. For development reasons, it is divided into 13
development blocks with 648 Village Panchayats.
Near the coast, the district is mostly flat but in the hinterland it is undulating and even hilly. The south
eastern taluks of Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Maduranthakam have undulating plains interspersed
with hillocks.
2.2 Climate & Rainfall
The district is endowed with a moderate climate but considerable humidity. Extreme heat or
cold weathers are not prevalent.

Both the monsoons occur here and in summer heat is considerably

mitigated in the coastal areas by the sea breeze. The months between April and June are generally hot
with temperatures going up to a maximum of 40

C. In winter (December - January) the minimum

temperature is 20C. The maximum and minimum temperature is 38.6' C and 21.0' C respectively.
The District depends on the South-West and North-East Monsoons for rainfall. Normal and actual
rainfall recorded during the year 2005-06 is 1252.1 mm and 1825.5 mm respectively. The coastal areas
receive more rains than the interior land.

Generally, the north east monsoon which lasts during the

months of October, November and December brings heavy rainfall and nearly two third of the
annual rainfall are received during this season.
The district mainly depends on the seasonal rain and faces distress conditions in the event of the failure
of monsoons. In recent years, the distress caused by such monsoon failures is sought to be mitigated to some
extent, by making use of underground water through the installation of electric pump sets and filter points
using underground water. The normal rainfall of the district has been 1165.3 mm. Though the district is one
of the high rainfall regions in the state next only to Kanyakumari and Nilgiris districts, during the past
two decades the district has received only sub-normal rainfall. The pre-monsoon rainfall is almost uniform
throughout the district. The coastal Blocks get more rains ratherthan the interior regions. This district is mainly
depending on the seasonal rains, the distress conditions prevail in the event of the failure of rains. Northeast
and Southwest monsoon are the major donors with 54% and 36% contribution each to the total annual
rainfall.

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District
2.2.1 Q u a n t u m of Rainfall
Rainfall

Normal

1982

1992

2002

1 165.3

809.8

982.6

1 133.0

South west Monsoon

422.0

265.8

346.0

North East Monsoon

631.4

417.5

603.9

1 11.9

126.5

32.7

Annual Average

Other period

-1213.3
(normal)

2.2.2 Monthly Rainfall statistics

M I I M H M

Period
(II
1 s.-uthWesI Monsoon
Period
Total

KUM'.M.I.IH

KIM,

116 1

Aufusl

157.9

September

132-1

Total

607,2
247.5
.117.4

December
\V UllLT-PlMIl
Tout
January
Vebruarv
4 Hol-Wi-.ithcr Period
total
March
April
May
Total

\ctual Rainfall
(3)

293.5
56 6

July

Nov ember

1'EKIOH

Year 2005-2006

462 7

June

(Xtober

lilt

< hAltllimctrv--g
Normal 1'.mil.til

1321
32 1
224
9.7
60 1
47
142
41 2
1252 1

32.9
989
81.5
80.2
1471
0
516 4
576.7
377.9
16 1
16 I
44.9
26 5
3.7
14 7
1825.5

Source: Deputy Director General of McU\*\>logy t hfimji

( limatological tevlum Regional Meteorological centre. Chennai-6

2005-06
1825.5

-1252.1
(normal)

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District

2.2.3 Average Temperature

Season

Maximum

Minimum

Summer

36.6 C

21.1 C

Winter

28.7 C

19.8 C

2.3 Demographic Details

According to 2001 census, the District had population of 30.38 lakh, which is about 6.76% of the
total State population. In 1991 census the total population of the District was 24,15,010 Lakhs, in which
12,30,650 were Male & 11,84,360 were Female, (delete) In rural 1 4 , 2 9 , 6 1 0 & i n Urban it was 9,85,400
2.3.1 Salient Features of Census 2 0 0 1 - Block & Municipality wise:
SI
No

Name o f the
Block
Municipality

K_
S ,7
Q

= r "

U
J
1
g

1> e

u >Si

Kancheepuram

Walajabad

1101.
4
341 6

99(1

<m

it
Zjs
b S= 8.-

E
3

5 "1 c

"

Literacy rate
among
femal
Male
(%>
e (%)

174.8

84.72

8.8

16.1

78.59

10.1

18.3

80.43

57.87
67.78

7.5

68.03
56.28

Sripemmpudur

281

986

Kunrathur

7116

971

36,2

38.5

84.69

I'thiramuarur

329

991

3.07

20.9

76.27

56.75

Kattankulathur

771

967

23.8

191.1

86.76

72.07

Thiruporur

325.4

976

12.7

6.6

80.17

60.00

Thirualukunram

4>l

981

7.2

49.1

81.25

62.22

<>

St mount

956

38.4

1263.2

92.09.

81.91

10

Maduranthagam

4492
4
378.5

996

3.7

36.1

78.02

58.78

11

Acharapakkam

286.7

992

2.3

9.7

74.71

53.72

12

I hithamoor

319.4

1000

0.9

31 3

72..09

50,83

13

1 athur

280.8

995

1.4

71.55

52.38.

District

649.2

975

14.4

114.3

84.73

68.79

Source: Census of India 2001

10

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District
2.3.2 Population Growth Rate:

Population
Annum

Growth

Population
(Persons/Sq.Km)

per
Density

2.48%
592.00

Percentage
of
Workers
38.06%
against Total Population

2.3.3 Below Poverty Line

A. BIM. Families :

SI.
No.
1

Name of the
Panchayat Union

2
1 Kancheepuram
2 Walajabad

Total
Families
3
35341

No. of Families
Below Poverty
Line

% of BPL
House hold

5
13020

37%

12388
11094

34%

3 Uthiramerur

35991
29080

4 Sriperumbudur

25981

9782

38%

5 Kundrathur

41566
32119

13332
10281

32%

26962
32257

9065

34%

11060

34%

13372
8918

30%

10 Acharapakkam

44880
24944

11 Madurantakam

29944

11455

12 Lathur

20774

7612

38%
37%

24270
404109

9361
140740

6 Thiruporur
7 Kattankolathur
8 Thirukalukundram
9 Thomasmalai

13 Chithamur
Total

13

38%

32%

36%

39%
35%

2. O v e r v i e w of
K a n c h e e p u r a m District
2.4 Area Distribution
B. M l

ARK A IRRIGATE!)

BY (IN HI

CI.)

550

a. Government ( anals
h Private Canals

c. Tanks

60732

d. Tube Wells

12166

e. Other Wells

47252

f. Other Sources

Total Net Area Irrigated (Hect.)

120700

2.4 1 Agriculture and Forest

Total Area

7857.00 Sq.Kms.

N e t Sown Area

3107.44 Sq.Kms.

N e t Irrigation Area

2435.27 Sq.Kms.

Forest Area

426.57 Sq.Kms.
\ . I.AM) F i ll ISA I ION
(Are:! in Hectares)

Fasali Ml5
SI.No.
1

Year 2lW5-2(W6
B l o c k * ise
23856

Classification
Forest

2.

Barren and Uncultivable uses

10948

1 and put to Norv Agricultural uses

146085

4.

Cultivable Waste

10430

5,

Permanent Pastures and O t h e r Grazing I. ami

18328

16273

Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and

(Stoves not included in Nel Area Sown
Current ( allows

8l5h.

s.

O t h e r Fallows l a n d

73136

Nel Area Sown

I35<W8

10.

Geographical Area According lo V illage Papers

443210

11

Total Cropped Area

153305

12

Area sown more than once

.>4460

Source: '(/ Return. 2005-2006. Assistant Director of Statistic*, Kancheepuram

12

I. Overview of
Kancheepuram District

2.5 H u m a n Resource Indicators

The total main workers of the District was 8,92,700 persons forming 38.06% of total population in the
District. Of this, 6,65,386 were male workers & 2,73,518 were Female workers & 5,86,533 were from rural
& 3,52,371 were from Urban & 1,62,140 were of cultivators & 2,96,212 of Agricultural labourers & 39,571
of Household industry and rest in other activities.
2.5.1 L i t e r a c y Level
Literacy

66.38 %

Male Literacy

77.07 %

Female Literacy

55.22 %

Urban Literacy

79.41 %

Urban male Literacy

87.45 %

Urban Female Literacy

70.83 %

Rural Literacy

55.55 %

Rural Male Literacy

87.45 %

Rural Female Literacy

42.51 %

2 . 5 . 2 N o . o f S c h o o l s - K a n c h e e p u r a m - T o t a l Schools-1790

Primary

Middle

Government
Private
Matriculation

816
172
0

Total
DM
received

988
220

231
1 17
0
348
77

Plans

High&
H r . Secondary
204
0
250
454

Source: DRMP, Kancheepuram District Admn.

2.6 I n f r a s t r u c t u r e - U r b a n i s a t i o n Pattern :
The proportion of urban population to total population has increased over the decades in
the district. It had b e e n 2 7 . l % i n

I98land

rose to 35.7% during 1991. The urban areas in the

district as per 1991 census comprises six municipalities and 28 town panchayats with a population
of 10.1 lakhs.

The estimated urban population for the year 1996 was 11,14,574 of which

municipal population accounts for 56.4%.

13

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District

Urbanisation Pattern of Kanchipuram

District
f"i98i

Urban

Rural

Pattern

Density of Population
The

over all density of urban population

per square km. for the district has increased to

1912 from 1206 between 1991 and 1986. However, In contrast, there has been a decrease in
density of rural population [from 439/sq km to415/sq km between 1981-96].

Acceleration in

density of population is felt heavily in urban population. The details on urban population and density
are given below

D e n c i t y of P o p u ; a t i o n in K a n c h i p u r a m
District

1981

Hi 1991
1996

14

 g l l
l l i f i

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District

2.7 Forest Resources:

There are 65 reserved forests and nine reserved lands spread over 23,586 hectares as indicated
below:
Type Extent in ha % of total forest area Reserve forests 23,01 8.98 98.56 Reserve lands 336.68 1.44
However, the records indicate the forest area to be 23,713 ha. The difference needs reconciliation. The
percentage of forest area to total geographical area works out to a meagre 5.25 which is far below the
national and state levels.
2.8 Green cover classification :
This is available for the erstwhile composite Chengalpattu district which was subsequently
bifurcated into Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts. The distribution pattern of the green cover is as
follows.
Category
Plantation
Scrub forests
Grass lands
Sparse forests

Percent
41.60
27.10
16.29
8.10

Stony and rocky sites including sheet rocks

4.61

Dense forests

2.31

2.9 Water Resources:

The only river that flows thorough the district is the river Palar, originating from Nandhi Durg in.
Karnataka. It runs through for a length of 350.0 km and nearly half of it in this district covering a basin area
of 2187 sq. km in the district. The river has part of its basin in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states.
The Palar river basin gets an annual average rainfall of 1036 mm. The annual surface water and
ground water potential is 1758 MCM and 3013 MCM respectively. No major dams and reservoirs
have been constructed across Palar. Palar is essentially a dry river and flows are noticed for a few
months in the monsoon period.
Kanchipuram district has many tanks that serve as storage areas for rain water. No system
tanks fed by reservoirs or anicuts exist. Uthiramerur and Sithamur blocks contain the maximum number
of non system tanks. The Potential Hazard challenge during monsoon period emanates from lack of desiltingon regular basis. The tank management has to be improved
15

 m
wmm

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District

2.10 Agriculture Sector:

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people with 47% of the population engaged in it.Paddy is the
major crop cultivated in this district. Groundnuts, Sugarcane, Cereals & Millets and Pulses are the other
major crops.
Classification

A r e a in(Hectares)

Total Cropped Area

198543

Neti Area Sown

160090

Area sown more than once

38453

A r e a U n d e r Principal C r o p s
Rice

145966

Millets and Cereals

1217

Pulses

2966

Sugarcane

7586

Groundnut

28766

Gingelly

912

Cotton(BL)

53

Type of Soil

Places in District

Read Loam

Kancheepuram, Uthiramerur
Blocks

Lateritic Soil

Pleatus in the district

Black Soil

Spread in all Blocks

Sandy Coastal Alluviam

Some Places
Thirukazhukundram,Thiruporur,
St.ThomasMount.

Red Sandy Soil

Kancheepuram, Urban Blocks

16

2. Overview of
Kancheepuram District
2.11 Fisheries Resources:
Kancheepuram district

has a coastal length of 87 km.

The inland fresh water area spreads

over about 75006 hectares and estuaries and brackish water area are 14841 hectares.
fishing is practised in 39 fishing villages of the district.

Marine

The fish production from both inland and marine

sources has increased in both quantity and value from 1991 to 1996. A comparison offish production
indicates that the coastal production is higher than the inland fish production.
2.12 Energy Resources:
The only power project available in the district of Kanchipuram is the atomic power plant located
in Kalpakkam. There were 548384 electrical connections with a total consumptionof 6214118.741 kwh
as on

1995-96. Agriculture sector is the maximum consumer accounting for 75.8% of the total

consumption. On industrial sector, the electricity comsumption for high tension units was more than
doubled as compared to low tension units.
electrification as on date.

Kanchipuram district has achieved almost cent percent

With an exception of only one village all the other 1855 villages are

electrified. Over a lakh of pump sets were energised upto the year 1996. In respect of non-conventional
and renewable energy sources, solar voltaic pump (SVP), bio gas and improved chulah are the
prevailing methods under utilization in the district. The biogas plants which are 300 in numbers (199596) are able to generate over 80% of its installed power capacity.

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram
3.1 Hazard Background
At the outset information on drought, flood and cyclone in the district

is very limited.

However, it has been ascertained from the available information that there had been cyclones in 1985-86
and 1 992-93. Asa consequence flood has occurred during the above years.
The north east monsoon contributes more rainfall than the south west monsoon.
flood occurs during north east

Generally

monsoon as there is heavy rainfall coupled with cyclonic storm

formed in Bay of Bengal. Floods occur in the zones such as UpparCheyyarand Kiliyarof Palar basin.

17

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram
Heavy floods

had occurred

in 1985, causing

heavy

damages to Madurantagam tank and

washing away of Kiliyar railway bridge and NH road bridge. To alleviate this flood threat to the major
Madurantagam tank, surplus capacity had been constructed with a high level channel crossing the NH45
which also serves the dual purpose of excess flood discharge disposal and supplement the storage
position of tanks lower down in the basin. There were also floods during 1 992-1 993 causing heavy dam
ages to lives and properties. The cyclonic storm which crossed the coast at Karaikal on 4.12.93
had caused substantial damages in the basin area.

Several hectares of garden crops were also

damaged due to the flood.

3.2 C y c l o n e p r o n e villages:
(i) K a n c h e e p u r a m T a l u k
S.no
Villages
1
Krishansamy Nagar
2
Netaji Nagar
3
Vegavathi Nagar
4
Aladi Pillayar Koil Thoppu
5
Vegavathi Aru Karaioram
6
Rangasamy kulam
7
Kavalan Theru
8
Thayar kulam
9
Vinaithirthan Kulam
10
Ayyakottai
1 1
Palayar madam

S.no.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

(ii) M a d u r a n t h a g a m T a l u k
S.no
Villages
1
Payampadi colony
2
Thandarapettai
3
Kalangar nagar
(iii) U t h r a m e r u r T a l u k
S.no
Villages
1
Menalur colony
2
Thinayam poondi
3
Malayangulam
4
Alapakkam
5
Perunagar
6
Thirumukudal
(iv) T h i r u p e r u m p u d u r T a l u k
S.no
Villages
1
Vazhuthalamedu
2
Orathur
Source: DRM Team, Kancheepuram District

18

Villages
Santhoji pandithar theru
Ananthapettai
Pavaji theru
Valikulam Theru
Ambedkar Nagar
Mamallan Nagar
Vengadesapallayam
Kavanthandalam
Eliyanar Velur
Sithamur

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram
3.2.1 Cyclone Shelters :
Location of Cyclone Shelters:
i

C h e n g a l p a t t u Taluk

Muttukadu

Kelampakkam

Salavankuppam

Kovalam

Nemeli

ii

T a m b a r a m Taluk

Injambakkam

iii

T h i r u k a z h i k u n d r a m Taluk

Pudupattinam

Iv

Cheyyur Taluk

Vadapattinam

Vembannur

Kadalur kuppam

Paraman kenikuppam

Mudaliyar kuppam

Kottaikadu

Muqaiyur

Source: DRM Team, Kancheepuram District

K A N C H E E P U R A M DISTRICT - C Y C L O N E S H E L T E R S

/)
ThtntkMcfutMuD^rtf*

19

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram
3 . 3 O v e r V i e w of Tsunami

The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 was triggered by massive earthquake of Magnitude 9.0 hit
Indonesia generating Tsunami waves in South-east Asia & eastern coast of India. Height of tsunami waves
ranged from 3 - 10 m affecting a total coastal length of 2260 km in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu, Kerala & UTs of Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Tsunami waves travelled up to a depth of 3
km from the coast killing more than 10,000 people & affected more than lakh of houses leaving behind a
huge trail of destruction.

3.3.1 T s u n a m i i m p a c t i n K a n c h e e p u r a m d i s t r i c t

3.2.2 Tsunami inundation in affected villages:

S.no.

A f f e c t e d Village

TambaraittTakik
1.
2.
3.
4
5
6
1
2.
3.
4
5.
6
7.
8
I.
2
3
4
I.
2
3.
4
5

Max
Inundation
( in metres)

Kottivakkam
Palavakkam
Injambakkam
Nekankkarai
Shozhinganallur
Uttandi

25
25
250
75
320

Kannathur Reddikuppam
Muttukadi
Kovilanthagal
Thiruvadanthai
Nemmeli
Krishnakarnai
Pattipulam
Saluvankuppam

200

Mamallapuram
Meyyur
Sadurangapattinam
Pudupattinam
Cheyyur Taluk
Kadalur
Vadapattinam
Seekanakuppam
Paramankenni
Paniyur

490
380
270
380

Chengalpattu Taluk

ThtrukazNikundram Taluk

600
130
330

260
370
380
410
250

520

220
350
420
300

Extracted from: Ministry of Earth Sciences, ICMAM-PD, Chennai

20

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram
3.2.3 ONSET TYPE and CAUSES
If the earthquake or under water land movement is near the coast then tsunami may strike suddenly
and if the earth movement is far in the sea then it may take few minutes to hours before striking the coast. The
onset is extensive and often very destructive. The general causes of Tsunamis are geological movements. It is
produced in three major ways.
The most common of these is fault movement on the sea floor, accompanied by an earthquake. To say
that an earthquake causes a tsunami is not completely correct. Rather, both earthquakes and tsunamis result
from fault movements. Probably the second most common cause of tsunamis is a landslide either occurring
underwater or originating above the sea and then plunging into the water.
The third major cause of tsunamis is volcanic activity. The flank of a volcano, located near the shore or
underwater, may be uplifted or depressed similar to the action of a fault. Or, the volcano may actually
explode. In 1883, the violent explosion of the famous volcano, Krakatoa in Indonesia, produced tsunamis
measuring 40 meters which crashed upon Java and Sumatra, over 36,000 people lost their lives as a result of
tsunami waves from Krakatoa. The giant tsunamis that are capable of crossing oceans are nearly always
created by movement of the sea floor associated with earthquakes which occur beneath the sea floor or near
the ocean.
3.2.4 Warning
Tsunami is not a single giant wave. It consists of ten or more waves which is termed as a tsunami wave
train". Since scientists cannot predict when earthquakes will occur, they cannot predict exactly when a
tsunami will be generated. Studies of past historical tsunamis indicate where tsunamis are most likely to be
generated, their potential heights, and flooding limits at specific coastal locations. With use of satellite
technology it is possible to provide nearly immediate warnings of potentially tsunamigenic earthquakes.
Warning time depends upon the distance of the epicentre from the coast line. The warning includes predicted
times at selected coastal communities where the tsunami cold travel in a few hours. In case of tsunamigenic
earthquakes or any other geological activity people near to the coastal areas may get very little time to
evacuate on receiving of warning. INCOIS, Hyderabad is the nodal agency working on the tsunami early
warning detections.
3.2.5 Elements at Risk
All structures located within 200 m of the low lying coastal area are most vulnerable to the direct
impact of the tsunami waves as well as the impact of debris & boulders brought by it. Settlements in adjacent
areas will be vulnerable to floods & scour. Structures constructed of wood, mud, thatch, sheets and structures
without proper anchorage to foundations are liable to be damaged by tsunami waves & flooding. Other
elements at risk are infrastructure facilities like ports & harbours, telephone and electricity poles, cables. Ships
& fishing boats/nets nearthe coast also add to the destruction caused by tsunami waves.
21

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram
3.2.6 Specific Preparedness Measures
Hazard mapping - a hazard map should be prepared with designated areas expected to be damaged
by flooding by tsunami waves. Historical data could be of help in showing areas inundated in the past.
Keeping in mind the vulnerable areas, evacuation routes should be constructed and mapped. The plan
should be followed by evacuation drill.
Early warning systems - a well networked system in place can warn the communities of the coastal
areas when the threat is perceived. Tsunami warning should be disseminated to local, state, national as well
as the international community so as to be prepared as they are capable of crossing across continents. On
receiving of the warning the action should be to evacuate the place as decided in the evacuation plan.
Community Preparedness - communities in the coastal areas are faced by the wrath of cyclones,
storm surge and tsunami waves. It is important that the community is better prepared to take suitable actions
on receiving of the threat and follow emergency evacuation plans and procedures, a community which
choose to ignore warning may get severely effected if they are not prepared to take immediate measures.
3.4 Flooding is one of the pertinent hazards that need to be addressed as part of preparedness:

3.3.1 Flood H a z a r d prone Villages

S.no
1

Taluk
Kancheepuram

River
Palar

Utharamerur

Cheyyar

Chengalpattu

Palar

4
5

Maduranthagam
Thirukazikundram

Palar
Palar

Source: DRM Team, Kancheepuram District

22

V u l n e r a b l e villages
Kancheepuram
Thirumukudal
Sathanancheri
Orrakattupettai
Pazhayasivaram
Avalur
Vayakkavur
Vengacherri
Makaral
Kavanthandalam
Athur
Natham
Vayavur
Edayur
Puthupattinam
Uthayrampakkam

3. Hazard Profile for

Kancheepuram

KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT - FLOOD HAZARD PRONE AREAS

Sriperumbudur

Kanchipuram

^-<|Kancheepuram

Thirunnukl
Vengacheri

inanjeri

Orakkattupett!

Uttiramerur

imbakkam

Vaiyavu*-

Nathamkariamchef#"

/
Edaiynl^

Thirukazhukundram

!udupattinai
Maduranthakam

23

4. Role of Governme
4.1 State Administration
The State is divided into 30 Districts. The Districts are further subdivided into 73 Revenue Divisions,
206 Taluks, 1120 Firkas and 1 6563 Villages. The Government have provided both infrastructure facilities
and additional staff in orderto make this Department function effectively in the day to day functioning and for
speedy and effective implementation of the new schemes.
4.2 Disaster Management Functions:
At times of natural disasters like Drought, Cyclone, Flood etc, the Revenue department alerts the
public in advance and undertakes relief measures. The Revenue department plays a vital role in shifting the
affected people to places of safety and provides them with food, shelter, essential commodities and financial
assistance. The DRMP is being implemented in all costal districts and in addition covering Nilgris district. For
effective implementation of the programme a State Steering Committee has been constituted under the
chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary to Government. The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of
Revenue Administration is the Nodal officer and the Joint Commissioner (Disaster Management and
Mitigation) is the State Project Officer.
4.3 DRMP Implementation in Kancheepuram District
The district collector is the Nodal Officer for the implementation of 'Disaster Risk Management
Programme' and a 'District project Officer is in charge to implement the programme. The UNDP has also
assigned a UN Volunteer as District Project Officer to coordinate with the Collector for the successful and
effective implementation of the DRMP in the district. District Disaster Management Committee has been
formed with the Collector as its Chairperson and with thirty eight other officials.

4.4 Status of DM Plans

S.no

Level

Units

1.

Block Disasters Managment

13

13

DM Plans
Completed

Committees (BDMC)
2.

Urban Local Bodies - DMC

34

34

3.

Grama panchayat - DMC

648

426

Village DMC

1059

831

S o u r c e : DRMTeam,Kancheepuram

District
24

4. Role of Governme
4.5 Reach of DRM Sensitisation Programmes
S.no.

Target Group

Disaster Managment Committee

Level of reach-

Total
10,972

Members
2

PRI members

women-1 215

3856

men-2641
3

Village Volunteers

School Teachers

First Aid - DMT

women-847

1,840

men-993
1,213
Women-776

1711

men-935
6

Search & rescue - DMT

Women-659

WATSAN - DMT

Women-786

1780

men-1121
1780

men-994
8

NCC & NSS students trained

Girls-563
Boys-1916

Mock drills - Gram Panchayat

663

10

Street Plays

90

11

School level DM Plans

Source: DRMP, Kancheepuram District

25

5. Contingency Pla
There is a growing realisation among communities living in coastal pockets to be prepared for (del)on
the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, that since frequent cyclones/ floods devastate life and property,
there is a need to be better prepared to face them. There is a need to work out a plan which on the one hand,
prevents losses and on the other, enables faster recovery in the event of cyclones / floods.
The aim of this emergency preparedness model plan with particular focus on Kancheepuram is to try
and give a few guidelines amongst others, in which the vulnerable community can make its own contingency
plan to safeguard lives, livelihoods and property in the event of a cyclone / flood and which would also define
the roles and responsibilities of the entire community i.e. the individuals, families, community leaders, village
authorities etc.
A community contingency plan (CCP) is a list of activities a village agrees to follow to prevent loss of
life, livelihoods and property in case a cyclone/ flood. It also identifies in advance, action to be taken by
individuals in the community so that each one knows what to do when a cyclone / flood warning is received.
Every village is different in terms of its inhabitants, its geography, its resources and its ways of making
community decisions. Thus contingency plan will differ from village to village.
5.1 Who makes the Plan?
A community contingency plan, as the name suggests, has to be made by the inhabitants of the village itself.
There should be representatives of women, youth, the elderly, the disabled, artisans, fisher folk, marginal
farmers, wage labourers and other vulnerable groups. There should also be representatives of communitybased groups like Self Help Groups (SHGs), farmers' committees and other such groups functioning in a
village. For the plan to work, every segment of the community/village has to be represented during meetings
to express their needs, concerns and share their experiences.
5.2 Social Organisations or NGOs and Government officials : To carry forward the process of
discussions and to guide the community towards drawing a workable plan, the involvement of N G O
volunteers - community leaders - the Tahsildar - the Block Development Officer (BDO) - the Village Level
Worker (VLW) - and elected representative like Sarpanch, Ward Members, Panchayat Chairperson, Zilla
Parishad Chairperson (ZPC), Co-operative society members etc. is necessary. They possess the necessary
authority and skills to motivate the community, conduct these sessions and make sure that decisions are
arrived at through participatory discussions. The village sessions can be conducted during hours that are
suitable forthe community.

5. Contingency Pla

The meetings can also be in small groups, which are manageable and give everyone a chance to express
theiropinions and ideas.
5.3. Five Stages of PlanningStage 1: Discuss what happened in the village during the last cyclone/flood (Review and Analysis)
Stage 2: Make a Description of the Village? (Situational Analysis) Stage 3: Listing what causes damage in
cyclone/flood and where (Hazard mapping) Stage 4: Assessing who is at risk and what is at risk (Risk
mapping: Identifying vulnerable people and areas) Stage 5: How to reduce risk (Opportunity mapping)
5.4 Steps that can be taken to mitigate risks
Fishermen at sea: The fisher folks need to register themselves with the Department of Fisheries. It keeps a
written document of the fishermen's list and their work areas depending on the season and equipment. This
helps in search and rescue missions to pick up fishermen away at sea. Ensure that they carry a life float (There
is also an improvised life float developed indigenously) and a transistor in working condition with good
battery cells when they go into the sea during the cyclone/flood season and VHF sets connecting to nearby
shore station, established by the department. (They can listen to the short wave band on radio for receiving
cyclone/flood warnings). Devise warning signals using fire works or lights such as powerful torches, which
can be seen, from sea.
W i d o w s a n d single w o m e n
Who may need help from volunteers to carry out house strengthening and repairs. Who will need help
to carry children and belonging in case there is a need to evacuate.
Elderly people a n d the disabled
Who need the help of volunteers or stronger relatives to help in evacuating?
Pregnant w o m e n a n d children
Who should be helped to carry basic food, clothing and cooking implements while evacuating? Also
stockpile the special food and medicines that is required. The other things to stock are rice puffs, jaggery, rice
flakes match boxes, candles and kerosene. Even if there is no necessity to evacuate, it is betterto be under the
supervision of volunteer in the house during the cyclone/flood.

Families living near the sea These families need to be among the first to be evacuated to shelters/ safe
places. Community may identify the families/habitations with some 'indication mark.' Families could think of
shifting the houses in future behind an embankment or an incline. This reduces the risk of flooding.
Community may identify high/safe lands for relocation. Community may also identify such locations where
families could be shifted in consultation with Revenue authorities.
27

5. Contingency PI

People living in thatched houses. Houses may be reinforced and roofs need to be nailed down. There are
ways of making the walls and roof stronger in case of thatched houses.
Cattle and livestock Naturally protected areas like behind hillocks or elevated land should be selected in
advance and cattle moved there with adequate fodder. Group insurance should be done before the natural
calamity hits the village.
Houses Houses need to be reinforced and roofs have to be repaired down. Things stored in the RCC houses
are better protected from winds and shifting valuables to a loft or a high level shelf saves them from floods.
Livelihood assets Boats, nets, stores of dry fish, food grain etc. Families can pool in their belongings, nets,
stores of dry fish grain bags etc. into a neighbour's safe house. Such houses are then patrolled by volunteers
to safeguard belongings. Boats need to be secured at the nearest safe structure, such as a lighthouse or a
port office. If there is no such structure the village might have to build one in the near future.
Standing crops and fields As far as possible, workout a cropping pattern to avoid cyclone/flood season or
invest in short duration crops whose harvest is completed before the cyclone/flood season. Quick growing
variety of seeds, especially cereals and vegetables should be stored at the cyclone/flood shelters for use after
the calamity. A contingency plan should be prepared in consultation with the concerned Government
departments regarding alternative crops and pest control. Fields face the danger of flooding with seawater
during a storm surge. Increasing the height of embankments around the fields and plugging any breaches in
them can reduce this danger.

The ultimate goal of hazard forecasting and early warning systems is to protect lives and property. They
constitute one of the key elements of any disaster reduction strategy. To serve people effectively, systems must
be integrated and link all actors in the early warning chain including the scientific and technical community,
public authorities, and local communities. Accurate, timely, reliable, and comprehensible communications
are essential. Effective early warning procedures should be part of the national institutional and legislative
framework for disaster management. They equally need to have redundancy built into the system. Early
warning must be complemented by professional services, training, and capacity-building activities and the
allocation of resources to enable timely actions to be taken to avert loss.
28

Mrs. Seetha Lakshimi, DRMP-Project Officer at the

Emergency operation centre, kancheepuram Collectorate

Good Early Warning Systems have strong linkages among all the four elements such as: (a) risk
knowledge, (b) monitoring and warning services, (c) dissemination and warning services and (d) response
capability. Risk scenarios are constructed and reviewed. Specific responsibilities throughout the chain are
agreed and implemented. Past events are studied and improvement made to the Early Warning System.
Manuals and procedures are agreed and published. Communities are consulted and information is
disseminated. Operational Procedures such as Evacuations are practiced and tested. An effective Early
Warning System must recognize the differences in vulnerabilities that exist between different sections of
societies and also the dynamic nature of such vulnerabilities. The risk due to hazards is not uniformly
distributed and thus an effective Early Warning System need to be founded on appropriate Risk Assessment
methodologies. The monitoring and warning service is at the core of the EWS and it should integrate locally
used methods while simultaneously making maximum use of the progresses in related Science and
Technology fields. Local monitoring of hazards/risks and warning procedures such as Sirens, Drums, Bells
etc. have often been found to be the most effective at the time of emergencies and such methods need to be
recognized, supported, and integrated in the overall Framework.
There can be a range of technological solutions to communicate Early Warning to the vulnerable
population and it is necessary to have such choices which are accessible and robust for Early Warning
dissemination. Factors such as lead time, coverage, topography of the area, access to warning devices, cost,
maintenance, reliability etc. need to be taken into account while designing the dissemination mechanism. To
reach out to the last person and avoid failure, a combination of such dissemination technologies can be
used.
29

626.Early Warning System

The warning information that is communicated to the vulnerable population need to be user-friendly and at
the same time the community should have the capacity to interpret it properly. Capacity building at the
community level should ensure that systematic preparedness programs have been conducted, that disaster
management plans are in place and have been tested, and that community members have been adequately
trained to know how to act after receiving Early Warning.

SIS
i l l

Ms.Mukuntha, Village EWS Member, testing the EWS in Kokilamedu kuppam

Undersea earthquakes (of size higher than 6.5 in the Richter Scale), landslides, volcanic
activities, meteorite impact and any other such events causing large displacement of water can
trigger a tsunami
Series of tsunami waves can have intervals of few minutes to few hours between two waves
Tsunami waves can travel up to 1.5-2.5 km inland
In deep sea, the height of a tsunami may not be observable for its height. When this reaches the
shallow coast, the height of the wave increases up to 10 times and causes destruction.
The size of tsunami waves at the coast can be as little as few centimeters to as much as 3 metres
Tsunami waves can appearto be regular advancing/receding sea tides. Sometimes such waves
are preceded by receding of sea water, exposing the sea floor and then the waves come crashing
with great speed
Tsunami Waves at the coast can still travel at great speed. Never assume that you can run
quickerthan tsunami waves

30

62

6. Early Warning System

EWS Initiatives in Kancheepuram District

The district administration in association with UNDP is implementing the programme that envisages
strengthening and institutionalising the EWS initially in vulnerable coastal pockets. As part of EWS promotion
Satellite Radio Communication system has been installed as a pilot project through World Space in four
places viz., (i) Paramankenikuppam, (ii) Soolerikattukuppam, (iii) Mamallapuram, and (iv) Kancheepuram
(located at District Emergency Operation Centre). UNDP in collaboration with district administration has
installed EWS equipments in 30 most vulnerable villages in the first phase. Awareness generation and
capacity building programmes has been carried out in 30 villages. Dos and don'ts during emergencies
through street plays were conducted in 30 villages through the implementation partnership with
Chengalpattu Rural Development Society. Among the 46 villages shortlisted 30 were chosen forfirst phase of
EWS installation. CRDS through its Alaigal- cultural team conducted training cum sensitisation programmes.

KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT - EARLY WARNING S Y S T E M LOCATIONS

SS "

PuMwIpaftkwr |
Ne'TV>lujppin f
SotortkMuhupMm 1
PMupuiam f .
MtffUtMppwn J /
. EHmhaWukW"^ T, 1
OTanwikuppM*.. I I
VeopunjMfr*up|Mrr | J
MMmaltapt<ar*Hpam f j
..Dowr f j
MWyirtupcnnt I j
Sadraskuopwti 1 j
Pudupattioaffifcufipam f j
- Jyyali^jpo.v- I /

ffJPOTU&iL'i

EWS Installed at Community Hall at Kokilamedu

Kuppam

r
Chttyyur

Mv-ttWjU&J yI

M t k i r t > m

Paiwyui peiivufcuppam I /

31

6. Early Warning System

Early W a r n i n g Installed Villages
Panchayat
Block

S.no
1

Thiruporur

Kanathur

Kanathur Reddikuppam

Muttukadu

Karikattukuppam

Kovalam

Pattipulam

T h i ru kazh u ku n d ram

Kovalam Kuppam
Semmenchery kuppam
Pudhukalpakkam
Nenmelikuppam
Solerikattukuppam

Nenmeli

Village

Pattipulam
Edaiyur Kuppam
Elanthopu Kuppam
Salavakuppam
Meiyur kuppam

Sadras

Sadras kuppam

Lathur

Chithamur

Pudupattinam

Pudupattinam kuppam

Vayalur

Uyyali kuppam

Edaiyur

Kokilamedukuppam

Mamallapuram Spl
Village Panchayat

Devanery Kuppam
Venpurushm kuppam
Mamallapuram kuppam

Paramenkeni kuppam

Paramenkenikuppam

Thenpattinam

Thenpattinam kuppam

Mugaiyur

Perunthuravu kuppam

Vadapattinam

Vadapattinam kuppam

Kanathur

Kanathur kuppam

Kadalur

Alii kuppam
Chinna Kuppam
Periya Kuppam

Edakazhindadu

Muttukadu

Spl. Panchayat

Thazhuthali Kuppam
Panaiyur
periya kuppam

Source: CRDS, Chengalpattu

Now from each village, six women and six men have volunteered to be members of EWS village team.
They are getting the training orientation on EWS maintenance and operations.

32

626.Early Warning System

EWS Structure

&

7. Role of NGOs in
Disaster Management

Whenever disasters strike, they do not discriminate or differentiate amongst men and women, poor
or rich, young or old, they simply come, kill and destroy causing irreparable losses. When these
hazards strike, the communities are the first to react, irrespective of their profession, status, caste or culture.
NGOs play an important role in different stages of Disaster Cycle, and different elements are
attributed for its successful operation.
Technical skills of NGOs are important for rescue, coordination and for relief activities. Commitment
is the key word for reconstruction and rehabilitation and cooperation of different stakeholders is
important for
successful

preparedness. Sustainability, flexibility

N G O operation

in the field

of

and

disaster

motivation

management

are the
and

key words for the

role of

NGOs

is well

appreciated. NGOs provide linkage between the people and help the people during, before and after the
disasters.

33

7.
Disaster Management
The critical role of the N G O s in disaster reduction and response has been widely acknowledged.
More and more NGOs are involved in disaster-related activities now in post-tsunami scenario. Networking
and enhancing the capability of the N G O s is considered to be an important strategy for increasing the
efficiency and effectiveness of disaster risk reduction and response activities, especially at the local level in
various aspects such as training

and

public education, sharing of information, experience

and

expertise on best practices, and transfer of relevant technology in disaster reduction and response.
7.1 N G O ' s D M Reflections:
Overview
Village level Disaster Management groups were active in our district before Panchayat elections; after the
elections they almost become dysfunctional.
Community participation should be increased.
Disaster management groups must function the way Self-Help Groups function; i.e. under the guidance of
NGOs.
Local level non-political associations like Fishermen association can play leading role in guiding disaster
management groups.

NGOs Role
NGOs played vital and constructive role in tsunami relief and rehabilitation operations.
Most of the N G O s are in the nascent stage if promoting Disaster preparedness programmes. The level of
interest and involvement they displayed during the tsunami relief operations are conspicuously missing in the
implementation of community based disaster management programmes.
Insurance schemes must be compulsorily introduced for all those living in the vulnerable locations.
Demands:
The coastal bio-shield and strong concrete wall need to be formed for protecting coastal villages.
At present, most of the cyclone shelters are dysfunctional; therefore, there is a need for constructing multiutility community centres, which can be accessed by all during any type of hazards or emergency. Such
cyclone shelters shall be maintained by the local administration.
More 1CT based Village Information Centres are required in the coastal pockets in Kancheepuram district.

(Based on G r o u p Discussion outcome among NGOs and Community representatives in

17-18 May 2007 Workshop jointly held by CDRC, TRC & KRC with the facilitation of

34

TNTRC)

7. Role of NGOs in
Disaster Management
7.2 MAKING NGOs COORDINATION A REALITY
It is unfortunate that in the event of any disaster we start talking about the need
coordination

and

try

to

evolve

coordination

of

NGO

mechanism between NGOs afresh. The Non-

governmental Organisations in the country have diversified experience on various issues and areas. So far,
there has been no regulatory authority for these NGOs, except registration under Societies Act, to
define a code of conduct and to establish a meaningful coordination mechanism on issues and areas
of operation between them. There have been localized efforts to establish a coalition of NGOs sharing
similar issues or common geographical areas resulting in to conflict of interests between them and
non-performance at the time of need.
In order to ensure and establish a more permanent type of linkage and coordination between
NGOs, we have to, by and large, understand the needs of the community and NGOs serving those
communities depending on areas and issues of

operation.

There

is a

need

to

establish

such

mechanism on a national level in order to establish an equilibrium between the community needs and a
modern approach for effective and efficient functioning of NGOs at all levels to make NGOs
functioning more professional and accountable.
Fortunately National Disaster Management Authority is facilitating a National N G O Task Force,
which is periodically meeting at NDMA office to brainstorm the scope of N G O coordination. It also covers
streamlining DM modules, capacity building, policies and guidelines for natural disasters.
7.3 Further Strengthening Training Capability on Disaster Management
The success of any disaster management initiative depends to a very large extent on the availability of
adequate numbers of well trained officers who are equipped to shoulder the responsibility of preparedness
trainings and response operations on the receipt of warning or alert. A massive training effort needs to be
launched in the district to develop a cadre of professionally trained government officers, elected
representatives and voluntary activists by strengthening the existing resources.
7.4 INVENTORY OF RESOURCES FOR NGOs
(i) Search, Rescue & Evacuation desk
(ii) Logistics & Welfare desk
(iii) Medical desk
(iv) Infrastructure desk

35

7. Role c * N G O s in
Disaster Management
3. Maintenance facilities:
food, water and basic amenities
emergency lights, communication system
4. Report on status of response operations:
(i) Search, Rescue & Evacuation desk
(ii) Logistics & Welfare desk
(iii) Medical desk
(iv) Infrastructure desk
Other related information:
1 .List of Active NGO's with their resources.
2.List of Voluntary Organisations and their resources.
3.List of Community Based Organisations and their resources.
4.List of Donor Agencies (National and International).

8. Standard Operating
Procedures
A standard operating procedure is "an organizational directive that establishes a standard course of
action." In other words, SOPs are written guidelines that explain what is expected and required of the
government departments in performing their jobs. A comprehensive set of SOPs defines in significant detail
how the department intends to operate.
8.1 W h y Are SOPs Important?
Sometimes it seems like the departments face an insurmountable array of challenges in modern
society. In an era of shrinking resources, departments must contend with:
Expanding missionsemergency medical care, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, fire
prevention/public education, and terrorism incidents.
Increasing complexity in emergency response techniques and equipmentpersonal protective measures,
chemical safety, infection control, building and industrial codes, information management, training systems,
and so forth.

36

g^l

8. Standard Operaiing
Procedures

The standing orders have been prepared with the avowed objective of making the concerned persons
understand their duties and responsibilities regarding disaster management at all levels. All departments and
agencies shall prepare their own action plans in respect of their responsibilities, under the standing orders for
efficient implementation
The departments and agencies will organise proper training of officers and staff so that they can help
in rescue, evacuation and relief work at different stage of disaster. Emergency responses teams will be kept
ready by each department so that they can move to disaster site/affected area on short notice. The Standard
operating procedure shall be followed during normal times, warning stage, disaster stage and post disaster
stage. Standard Operating Procedures for the relevant departments at the District Level are listed below:
8.2 Action Points for Cyclone
1 .Action afterthe first warning
Ensuring the following:
i. That sufficient stock of food grains, kerosene and other dry food commodities are available for distribution
to the victims.
ii. That Medical and Veterinary Departments are fully equipped with required Drugs and Vaccines for taking
preventive steps after cyclone and to arrest the spread of epidemics.
iii. That all the Government and available CSO-DM vehicles are kept in road-worthy condition for putting
them to use in the emergency.
iv. That a list of generators available with the cinema theatres and marriage halls and advance action taken
immediately to procure them when necessity arises.
v. That action is taken for opening of cyclone stores for providing the following materials
1. Hooks of the type available with the Fire Service Department for cleaning debris.
2. Rubbertiers and tubes for using as floats in water.
3. Tents
4. Kerosene lanterns.
5. Large cooking vessels for use in relief camps.
6. Identify slips to be issued to be victims in relief camps.
7. Copies of maps, etc.
8. Ropes, wires, chains, lights, with wire fittings, lead wires, torches, etc.
9. Spare Road Market Stores, Steel poles, Bamboos, G.C. Sheets, and Slotted Stripes of metal (to be laid on
charred up road surface for better transportation).
37

= i
=^1

8. Standard Operating
gBHBHBHHHHHMHI

10. Double handle shows (for cutting fallen trees), Shovels, Candles, Land Hailers, Hose pipes, first aid kits,
cyclone duty sign Boards, Rode, Asbestos, Sheets, Torch lights, Ditty, cans, empty oil drums, gunny bags and
sand bags, polythene bags, (fordropping supplies), buckets, V.H.E. sets with batteries for use.
11. Fodders, pumps for bailing out water alongwith hose spades, crow bars, hard gloves, Eucalyptus oil,
naphthalene balls, bamboo mats, phenyl slate line, etc., useful for burying dead bodies.
2. ACTION AFTER RECEIPT OF THE SECOND WARNING (ACTUAL THREAT)
i. Evaluation
ii. Relief to Stranded persons.
iii. Stoppage of traffic on National Highways
iv. Stock of food grains
v. Declaration of local holiday to the Educational institutions
3. POST-CYCLONE

MEASURES

i. Convening of the meetings of the Committees

ii. Rescue Operations.
iii. Removal of dead bodies and carcasses, if any.
iv. Health Measures.
v. Restoration of traffic.
vi. Adequate number of mobile squads shall also made available by the Police Department for helping
clearing the fallen trees, etc.
vii. Electricity Board should clearthe roads of fallen electric poles and restore power
supply as quickly as possible.
viii. The Public Relations Department must ensure to build up photographic record of the damage
simultaneously, using services of the local Officers or by employing local man.
ix. Immediately after the cyclone, the Divisional Revenue officers should form required number of teams to
assess damage to the houses, crops, loss of human lives, livestock etc.
8.3 RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Before Disaster
The Block development officer will prepare maps showing population concentration and distribution of
resources.
Report activities in periodic meetings of the district collectorate convened by the Disaster management cell
Alert all concerned about impending disaster.
38

8. Standard Operating
Procedures
Ensure safety of establishments, structures and equipment in the field
Ensure formation of committee for rescue, reliefand rehabilitation work and local volunteerteams.
During Disaster
All Block Development Officers and Additional Block Development Officers will be instructed to be in Head
Quarters during Cyclone or at the time of flood
All technical staff in the Engineering wing may also be instructed to be available during the period to attend
any breach in the roads or damages in the culvert
Flood control room will be opened in all panchayat Unions to to attend any emergency case and such as
sandbags, plugs will be kept available
In respect of village Panchayats, the presidents will be advised suitable to follow the arrangements made by
the BDO of the respective union
All Block Development Officers will be instructed to provided sufficient quantity of medicine available in the
rural dispensaries. PH.C staff and rural dispensary staff may be alerted during these seasons so as to take
preventive measures against the contagious diseases.
The extension officer (AH) working in the panchayat unions will be made available in Union Office to attend
any emergency outbreak.
The Assistant Project Officer, Assistant Divisional Engineers, Executive Engineer will be attached to each
block to oversee the relief operation during the time of Natural Calamity.
After Disaster
Quantifythe loss/damage
Organize reconstruction of damaged houses on self help basis with local assets and materials received
from the government.
Arrange repair and re-sinking oftube-wells and cleaning of canals and waterways.
Take up repair/reconstruction work of infrastructure damaged by disaster
8.4 HEALTH SECTOR
Every year natural as well as man made disasters occurs and outbreaks of epidemic diseases take the
lives of many. Many of these lives and sufferings could be saved if proper emergency preparedness and
response mechanisms were in place. The department of public Health has a responsibility in the reduction
and prevention of suffering during natural and man-made disasters.
The emergency department is responsible for prevention and response of natural disasters and manmade disasters, as well as in the investigation and response to outbreak of communicable diseases.
39

8. Standard Operating
Procedures
As regards the medical department is concerned, the following nature of works is to be attended to:
Adequate stock of medicines, gauze and bandage cloth
Hospitalisation and treatment to victims
Keeping all the departmental vehicles in road worthy condition
Restrict leave to medical and para-medical staff
8.4.1 Health Centres Profile
NO. OF PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES WITH SUB-CENTRES
No. of P r i m a r y
Health Centres

N o . o f SubCentres

SI.No.

N a m e of t h e Block /
Municipality

29

Kancheepuram Block &

Municipality
Walajhabad Block

26

Sriperumbudur

21

Kudrathur Block

31

Maduranthagam

26

Acharapakkam

27

Uthiramerur

36

Thiporur

25

Kattankolathur

30

10

Thirukazhukundram

34

1 1

St. Thomas Mount

38

12

Lathur

17

13

Chithamoor

24

48

364

Total

Source: D.D, Health, Kpm, Saidapet for year: 2005-2006

40

8. Standard Operat ng
Procedures
8.5 Action Points- FLOOD
1. Pre-flood arrangements:
i. Convening a meeting of the District Level Committee on Natural Calamities;
ii. Functioning of the Control Rooms;
iii. Closure of past breaches in riverand canal embankments and guarding of week points;
iv. Rain recording and submission of rainfall reports.
v. Communication of gauge-readings and preparation of maps and charts;
vi. Assigning charge of flood Circles;
vii. Dissemination of weather reports and flood bulletins issued by the meteorological Centers, Central Water
Commission, Flood Forecasting Organisation;
viii. Deployment of boats at strategic points;
ix. Use of power boats;
x. Installation of temporary Police Wireless Stations and temporary telephones in flood-prone areas;
xi. Arrangement for keeping telephone and telegraph lines in order;
xii. Storage of food in interior, vulnerable strategic and key areas;
xiii. Arrangements of dry food stuff and other necessities and of life;
xiv. Arrangements for keeping the drainage system desilted and properly maintained.
xv. Agricultural measures;
xvi. Health measures;
xvii. Veterinary measures;
xviii. Selection of flood shelters;
xix. Advance arrangements for army assistance;
xx. Training in flood relief work;
xxi. Organisation of relief parties;
xxii. Other precautionary measures; and
xxiii. Alternative drinking water supply arrangements;
ARRANGEMENTS DURING AND AFTER

FLOODS:

Organising rescue operations.

Organising shelterforthe people in distress, in case the efforts of the Civil
authorities are considered inadequate, Army assistance should be requisitioned.
Relief measures by non-official and voluntary organisations may be enlisted as for as possible.
41

8. Standard Operating
Procedures
Organise relief camps.
Provision of basic amenities like drinking water, sanitation and public health care
and arrangements of cooked food in the relief camps.
Making necessary arrangements for air dropping of food packets in the marooned
villages through helicopters.
Organising enough relief parties to the rescue of the marooned people within a
reasonable time limit.
Establish alternate communication links to have effective communication with
marooned areas.
Organising controlled kitchens to supply foods initially at least for 3 days.
Organising cattle camps, if necessary, and provide veterinary care, fodder and
cattle feed to the affected animals.
Grant of emergency relief to all the affected people.
Submission of daily reports and disseminate correct information through mass
media to avoid rumors.
Rehabilitation of homeless.
Commencement of agricultural activities-de-siltation, re-sowing.
Repairs and reconstructions of infrastructural facilities such as roads, embankments, Resettlement of flood
prone areas.
Health measures.
Relief for economic reconstruction.

42

In Kancheepuram District Collectorate an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been inititated in
post Tsunami period.
Before Disaster
Impart training to the members of Police Force in first aid, evacuation, rescue and relief operations.
Identify the 'High Risk' and 'Risk' areas for different disasters and instruct the existing police installations
located in those areas for keeping themselves in readiness for undertaking emergency rescue, evacuation
relief operations.
Train volunteers from among citizens, voluntary organizations
Alert and Warning Stage
Establish the Disaster Control Room at the district office
Arrange drills for fire extinguishing, rescue, evacuation and transportation of injured persons and prepare
coordinated Action Plans in cooperation with District administration and concerned local agencies
Maintain communications with the police installations in the areas likely to be affected by disaster.
During Disaster
Carry out search & rescue operations.
Carry out fire fighting operations
Keep close watch for any criminal and anti-state activity in the area.
Mobilize resources needed for emergency
After Disaster
Arrange security of government property and installations damaged in a disaster.
Coordinate with other offices of Ministry of Interior for traffic management in and around damaged areas.
Assist the local administration in putting a stop to theft and misuse in relief operation.

9.1 FIRE & POLICE DEPARTMENT

The role of Tamilnadu Fire and Rescue services in disaster management of crisis arising out of Fire and natural
calamities is varied for the purpose of meeting earthquakes, cyclones and floods etc. In case of any
emergency D O will mobilize water tenders ambulance small foam tenders from his division. Sufficient
number of life-buoys, life jackets and ropes are also available in these stations, to meet any tropical cyclone
and flood emergency.

43

9. EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE
D u r i n g Disaster

For effectively tackling the situations arising out of earthquakes, tropical cyclones, floods, terrorist attack and
other emergencies, the following special equipment's has been provided in the chennai city and can be
mobilized within two hours.
Inventory of machinery:
1. Inflated boats and Light Weight Mechanical Fire Boats This equipment's are variable even in shallow water
and can be used in flood situation
2. Breathing Apparatus, Poisonous gas detector To meet the hazards arising from leakage of poisonous
gases, these set are provided in most of the fire stations. These will be very useful during rescue and fire
fighting operations particularly in places filled with thick smoke orflammable gases.
3. Acid and Chemical Protection suit For managing chemical disaster
4. Helmet mounted thermal imaging cameras and Hand-held smoke vision cameras These are available in
state training centre, chennai for use in searching invisible fire victims in areas as large godowns, chemical
industries and multistoried buildings.
5. Emergency Rescue Tenders There are three tenders available in chennai city; step has been taken to
procure one forTiruvallur district. This ERT is provided with sophisticated rescue equipment's imported from
abroad such as COMBI tools (cutter and spreader) lifting bag, telescopic, ramps, BA sets, power saw, lifting
equipment's, emergency lighting generators etc.
6. Life Detector This modern equipment is available in chennai, with this equipment; we can detect the
trapped persons under the debris. This equipment was used in Gujarath earth quake and widely appreciated

44

The design and development of a comprehensive data and information base on the socio-economic and
demographic features of various administrative units of detailed manner for Kancheepuram is pertinent for
more effective disaster preparedness and disaster response.. The up-gradation of a comprehensive data
base or management

information system into a cartographic

environment will facilitate

better

comprehension of spatial and non-spatial parameters. GIS applications can play a very valuable role in
arriving at meaningful inferences in the areas of risk monitoring, risk assessment and vulnerability analysis,
risk mapping, risk modelling, public awareness and dissemination, etc.

Such a data would play an important role in hazard assessment such as:
Assessment of situation through integrated analysis;
Implication of hazards in terms of risk and planning needs;
Spatial modelling, querying and map creation for implementation of action plan;
Simulation of model and display of different scenarios for hazard visualization.

The availability of spatial data about the earth surface particularly natural resources in combination
with attribute data if properly analyzed and integrated through GIS technique can provide solutions and
action plans in handling efficiently specific hazardous situations.

Conclusion: In the post-tsunami recovery context, we have enormous amount of good practices and
lessons learnt documented in various sectors. Now in a district level emergency planning we need to
incorporate such learning and tools to better manage the disaster management. Secondly, the G O - N G O
coordination has to continue in a long term basis planning and executing the DM plans. It has to be a
continuous process of linking disaster management to development process and vice versa. The
rehabilitation and reconstruction experiences has to be well incorporated in to disaster planning,
preparedness and mitigation areas in order to make the communities resilient and cope up with talking
natural hazards. Community action for disaster risk management is a crucial element in promoting a
"Cultural of prevention" and creating disaster resilient communities. There fore Community based
approaches have to be integral part of various disaster management initiatives, projects and programmes
vis-a-vis emergency preparedness of both government and civil society.
45

m~

Annexure 1

Emergency Contact Details- Kancheepuram District

S.no
1

Revenue Department
District Collector

STD code
044

Office
27237433

044

27237945

District Revenue Officer

(Kancheepuram)
Collector's PA- General

044

27237789

Collector's PA-Land

044

27237424

5
6

(Chengalpattu)
Revenue Divisional Officer
(Kancheepuram)
District Revenue Officer
(Maduranthagam)

044
044

27237081

044

27552196

Residence
27238477
27238478
27238955

Cyclone Warning Control Room:

STD

Office

Residence

Mobile

District Project OfficerDRMP

RDO-Kancheepuram

044

27222776

27228240

9445000497

RDO-Maduranthagam

044

27552445

27552387

9445000503

RDO-Chengalpattu

044

27422418

27426422

9445000500

RDO-Utharamerur

044

27272230

27272226

9445000498

RDO-Thiruperumputhur

044

27162231

27162263

9445000499

RDO-Tambaram

044

22382210

22274578

9445000502

RDO-Thirukazhikundram

044

27447494

27449094

9445000501

RDO-Cheyyur

044

27531144

27531202

9445000504

S.no

46

Annexure 1
Public works Department
S.no
1

Kancheepuram-lrrigation

STD
044

Office
28544134

Maduranthagam

044

27237178

Chengalpattu

044

2742479

ExecutiveEngineer
(Construction)

044

27238672

Executive
(Tank)

044

27237903

Engineer

BDOs/ Panchayat Union

Residence

044

Office
22232292

Wallajabad

044

27256031

27420225

Utharamerur

044

27272233

Thiruperumputhur

044

27162235

Kundrathur

044

27174152

Thiruporur

044

27446228

27447644

Kattankolathur

044

27452223

27273587

Thirukazhikund ram

044

27447130

275231675

StThomas M o u n t

044

22233667

10

Maduranthagam

044

27552304

1 1

Acharapakkam

044

27522333

12

Elathur

044

27539921

27239836

13

Sithamur

044

27544133

27448255

Block

STD

Kancheepuram

r S.no.

47

27433836

____
Annexure 1

Department
DRDA

STD

Office
27238651

Fisheries

Kancheepuram
Neelankarai

044

24492719

Police

Kancheepuram

044

27237720

Homegaurds
Transport

Kancheepuram
Karapettai

044
044

27222358

Highways

Residence

27238070

044

Fire Service Department

S.no
1

Divisional Fire service

STD
044

Kancheepuram

044

27222899

Chengalpattu

044

27431299
27430101

4
5
6
7
8
9

Thiruperumputhur
Maduranthagam
Maraimalai Nagar
Utharamerur
Acharapakkam
Thi ru kazh i ku n d ram

044
044
044
044
044
044

27162259
27552401
27452930
27272236
27522401
27447001

27222899
27234126

27222201

Police Department
S.no
1
2
3
4
5
6

STD
044
044
044
044
044
044

Sivakanchi
Vishnukanchi
Kanceepuram
Baluchettichatram
Wallajabad
Thiruperumputhur

48

27222805

27222804
27222181
27246524
27256044
27162224

Risk Mapping

| If'

Sample Social / Resources Mapping

49

>. K #>
P.

o*>C-u> *v,

ABOUT TNTRC
The TamilNadu Tsunami Resource Centre (TNTRC) facilitates post tsunami
recovery

focusing

on

improved

coordination

among

the

many

civil

society

organisations, Government and the U N for sharing information, networking knowledge,

influencing policy and building capacities. It has been involved in enhancing quality of
recovery with equitable approach for the tsunami affected population. TNTRC has been
able to reach the grassroots through the District Resource Centres

to ensure smooth

flows of information and feedback from the grassroots to State level and vice versa.
TNTRC is a joint initiative of U N D ^ International non governmental organisationsCaritas India, Catholic Relief Services, Christian Aid, PLAN International, Oxfam, Save
the Children and World Vision and the Government of TamilNadu.

TAMILNADU TSUNAMI RESOURCE CENTRE

\

# 54/1, Josier Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034. INDIA

mm/mm

Tel.: 91 - 44 - 2826 4141, 2826 5151 Telefax : 91 - 44 - 2826 6161

E-mail : info@tntrc.org web : www.tntrc.org

T N T R C is a joint initiative of

Q
CHrntuwT

Ami